My debeaked chicken's first gourmet meal

[chickbea]

Lucky little Clarisse!
The more I looked at her picture, the more I saw what a symbol it is of the wide range of how humans can treat animals. It's plain to see how well you take care of her, with her beautiful shining feathers and perky look, which is in such contrast to what happened to her poor beak. More folks like you, that's what's needed!

 

[bayouchica]

What a pretty girl, that's so sweet you spoiling that girl.

Just a thought, maybe you can grow some wheat greens & add it to her gourmet treats. She might enjoy it.

 

[Wynette]

Amen, Chickbea!

 

[allen wranch]

Great job ! Glad you got her.

So she will get some of the nutrition from the layer feed, including calcium, mix a lot of layer feed in with your mush. Another suggestion is to add some Kytee Hand Feeding Formula . It has a lot of good nutrients. Although high in protein, the fruits and veggies would balance it. You can find it at most pet stores.

 

[seminolewind]

Thankyou everyone for the compliments, you made me teary eyed and put a lump in my throat.
Now that I know she can eat and enjoy "mush", I can come up with a whole bunch of things to add to her food, I don't think she was even getting the oyster shell and grit, so that will be added at times. Today she is getting several fruits pureed with yogurt, oatmeal, and spinach and a bit of corn-yum!
I have heard alot about the fingernail thing, but have yet to hear about anyone who has done it, and the results. The avian vet thing , I've only read of it done to birds while they regrow their beaks, such as parrots. I guess I need some more solid documentation, or a chat with a vet before I make a decision. But thanks again, everyone, for your comments and support! Karen

 

[Lunachick]

Since this is a topic that comes up alot, I thought I might add in. I purchased 2 hens that I knew would be debeaked. I just didn't realize it at the time. Until I knew they were coming then I realized - uh oh- they are debeaked.

They do real fine... I just chop their stuff up and they do their chicken thing, they're chickens, they adapt. But I feel bad that that had to happen to them. Mine are very well loved, spoiled etc. But I do have to help them out with their goodies, no problem. I will.

There are alot of hatcheries that send out started pullets (which come with debeaked birds.) Some of them are not debeaking, you have to find out. Either way, they are birds that deserve to live a full life, which I intend to do with mine.

They ( the chickens) have no idea that their beaks are a problem, just watch them, they compromise. It's very interesting watching them peck around on the ground searching for goodies and such and figuring out how to adapt. They manage very well. My two do very well with their debeaked-ness. I wouldn't buy them that way in the future, but if these chickens are here and ready to adopt and have been debeaked, and you want them, get them, they are still beautiful birds that need a home and need a regular chicken life.

After all, just because they look a little different, doesn't mean that they are! They are just chickens with a little disability!

 

[patandchickens]

yup, I have 3 debeaked ones as well (acquired as started pullets like everyone else's) and while I hate it, they do just fine at eating pretty much anything *as long as it's not on a hard surface*. A deepish dish of lay crumbles, or leftover peas tossed onto their bedding, or bugs crawling on turf get snapped up just fine. They do like a nice squishy blob of yogurt, too, tho

Inotice that seminolewind's bird is debeaked somewhat differently than mine however - radical chop job on top but looks like hardly anything taken off the bottom. That may make it tougher - mine have more taken off the bottom, so less mismatch in lengths.

best of luck,

Pat

 

[seminolewind]

I wonder if it would make it better if the bottom was shorter. Karen